Phumelelo Lodge in Mabalingwe Game Reserve, Bela-Bela is an authentic African experience and exclusive but affordable luxury accommodation, offering air-conditioned / heated en-suite, African themed chalets with private balconies all round. The rooms have private decks where you can view the game below at the river or on the mountain across from the lodge and guests have the luxury of a bath, indoor and outdoor showers for that exhilarating 'Out of Africa' experience. An all day tea & coffee, hot chocolate & gourmet biscuit & rusks refreshment station for the convenience of our guests in each room with DSTV satellite TV in each luxury room.

Sitting up on a hill in the Waterberg Mountains overlooking a river, near Bela-Bela, Phumelelo Lodge is located in the greater Mabalingwe Nature Reserve - a Malaria free area of Limpopo Province and home to the "Big 5" (Lions in separate high security enclosure). It takes only 2 hours to reach Phumelelo Lodge from Johannesburg (O R Tambo Airport) and just about an hour and 30 minutes from Pretoria, travelling via the N1 to Polokwane.

Phumelelo Lodge has traversing rights to over more than 12,000 hectares of a malaria free private game reserve which is home to Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Hippo, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hyena, Warthog, and a wide variety of antelope / plains game and bountiful bird life.

Offering 4 uniquely positioned, luxury styled African themed thatch chalets, each unit is luxuriously furnished with climate controlled air-conditioning for maximum comfort. The rooms have private all round deck patios with comfortable waterproof outdoor furniture, perfect for lazy afternoons.

The thatched central lodge complex has a romantically appointed dining area; an intimate lounge with feature fireplace; a cocktail bar with viewing deck overlooking the floodlit waterhole; a cozy open-air bush boma, swimming pool with large sundeck, and indoor / outdoor lounging area. The elevated 'upper deck' offers stunning views across the plains and river and the quiet solitude of this private location makes it the perfect place to witness sensational sunsets, whilst savouring the moment with a sundowner cocktail.

ROOMS

Guests have a choice of either shower and bath and outdoor shower for that uniquely different 'Out of Africa' experience! All rooms are equipped with electric hairdryers and power sockets. All rooms are non-smoking. All rooms are fitted with flat screen TV's and DSTV hotel channels. Each room has tea and coffee and hot chocolate making facilities with complimentary rusks & gourmet biscuits as well as special bathroom amenities, fully serviced with evening turn down service.

ACTIVITIES

Phumelelo Lodge has traversing rights over more than 12, 000 hectares malaria free private game reserve - home to the "Big 5"

Animals include: Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Hippo, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hyena, Warthog, a wide variety of antelope / plains game and bountiful bird life. Guests can enjoy an early morning or afternoon game drive with an experienced ranger in our open 4 x 4 game vehicle, with individually contoured bucket seats for the comfort of each passenger. These game drives include snacks and drinks, and blankets for those chilly winter evenings.

Like many other Private Game Reserves, the lions in our reserve are contained in a separate high security, fenced area of the reserve. It is necessary to book for a visit to the Mabalingwe Lion enclosure.

Cost on request including transport to and from the Lion camp and Phumelelo Lodge. Visits to the lion enclosure at Mabalingwe should be pre-booked after arrival and will be subject to space availability, based on the limited number of permitted visitors for each scheduled game drive / viewing experience. Visitors are not always guaranteed to see the lions as they can be elusive!

We recommend an excursion to visit the lion cubs, cheetah run and snakes at Zebula Golf Estate & Spa where Phumelelo Lodge guests will have access to the hotel, golf course, shop & health spa. It is located just 20 minutes drive from the Lodge in our 4 x 4 vehicle, via our private access road through the reserve with an opportunity for an additional game drive along the way. Green fees, hire of golf clubs & golf carts are available to guests of Phumelelo Lodge at special rates and transfers to / from Zebula can be provided by the Lodge in our 4 x 4 vehicle, and should be arranged on arrival.

Golf clubs are available for use at the lodge.